Our Goal…

is to expand the tools and processes used to collect, manage, and disseminate biodiversity data and information in sub-Saharan Africa and to connect this knowledge to the people — the policymakers, scientists, conservationists, economists, and the public — who make and influence decisions that are crucial to preserving biodiversity. We achieve this through:

Concentrating on biodiversity informatics

Through biodiversity informatics, we lead and serve as a catalyst for action. We advocate for data quality, standards, open access, and the establishment of persistent data repositories.

Targeting regions in sub-Saharan Africa with high biodiversity value

Africa is extremely rich in biological diversity, yet it has very limited capacity to conserve and manage it sustainably. By targeting our resources to regions with emergent capacity for biodiversity informatics, we believe we can have significant impact.

Linking knowledge to action

We aim to bridge the gap between those who create data and those who are in positions to use that data to make informed decisions

Promoting and creating partnerships

Partnerships permeate our work. We especially value local knowledge as it allows us, among other things, to develop skills and infrastructure that will jumpstart the creation of a sustainable information system.

Connecting with other donors

We align our funding with other donors whose expertise complements ours, which extends our reach and increases impact. For example, donors who focus on shaping public policy and influencing major conservation initiatives.

Building a Network

We support a growing community of world class advisors, partners, reviewers and evaluators who strengthen and sustain the work. We use planning grants and support projects and meetings that bring together diverse partners to advocate on behalf of our grantees and mission

Programs

JRS designs grants and grant portfolios that invest in both the technical and the institutional activities necessary to:

Enhance the value of biodiversity data

Connect biodiversity data users to biodiversity data providers

Create broad awareness of the value of biodiversity data and information services, and

Build the capacity to use and produce biodiversity data, including the partnerships and networks to sustain the work over the long-term

JRS’ strategy to advance the field of biodiversity informatics and improve conservation decision making is to connect data publication to knowledge use in two high-visibility domains of conservation and sustainable development and to invest in building capacity for biodiversity informatics. By focusing our resources on two domains of conservation and within limited geographic areas, we aim to sustain our investments in technology, capacity, and projects. Our three programs of grantmaking are:

Our Approach

The need to conserve biodiversity is urgent. At the same time, at JRS we recognize the complexity of the work and are committed to long-term investments. We invest in creating the skills, knowledge and tools, and developing the relationships that will help our grantee partners succeed. We view our grantees as partners and, as challenges and opportunities arise over the course of a project, we work together to adapt to new circumstances.

Where We Work

The JRS Biodiversity Foundation has geographic focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in biodiversity, but has very limited capacity to conserve and manage it sustainably. By focusing our resources geographically, we believe we can gather place-based knowledge and form partnerships that will significantly increase the effectiveness of our efforts.

Open Data

The JRS Biodiversity Foundation believes that open access to biodiversity information and knowledge by all stakeholders is essential to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Foundation is committed to the principle of free and open access to the results of its grant-funded projects for the benefit of biodiversity conservation, science and society.